Hazard sets sights on unfinished business against Europe’s elite
Eden Hazard was so frustrated at missing last season’s Champions League that he could not even watch it on television.
But Chelsea and Hazard will be returning to our screens this week, after a year’s painful hiatus, with the Belgian winger determined to add a winner’s medal to his collection. Chelsea start their latest European adventure against Azerbaijani champions FK Qarabag at home tomorrow, in a tough group which includes Atletico Madrid and Roma.
Hazard will be available for Antonio Conte after coming through his first club game since last season’s FA Cup final, as a substitute in the win at Leicester.
And there is clearly unfinished business for the 26-year-old. “This year is really important. I have reached the semi-final with Chelsea [in 2014], when we lost to Atletico Madrid, so it’s in my head to win this trophy,” he said.
“I have won the Premier League, I have won the title in France, I have won cups, but big players always want to win the Champions League. I think now it is time to win this. We have a good squad, we have a good manager, so we are ready for it.
“You want to play these kind of games because, every time you play in the Champions League, it’s a big game and everybody is watching you. I hate having to watch it on TV, I just want to be on the pitch. That isn’t a good feeling so, yes, we are happy to be back.”
Chelsea have not progressed beyond the round of 16 in their past two European campaigns and the big test will be if their squad can cope with so many games. Conte missed out on targets in the transfer window, including Romelu Lukaku, Alex Oxlade-chamberlain and Ross Barkley, and will now be competing on four fronts.
The future of Diego Costa also remains uncertain, with the troublesome striker tipped to return to Chelsea soon after his hopes of a move collapsed.
Hazard, who played the final 12 minutes after suffering a broken ankle at the end of last season, said: “We’ve got seven games in three weeks and it’s completely different from last season, but we are professionals and we understand this kind of situation.
“We just want to play. If sometimes players are tired, somebody else can come into the team – we don’t have a problem with that.”
Chelsea’s victory at the King Power Stadium provided more evidence that the chaotic opening-day defeat by Burnley was a freak result. Alvaro Morata’s header, from Cesar Azpilicueta’s sublime cross, gave them the lead and the £55million signing appears made to measure for English football.
Morata and Chelsea swiftly condemned the anti-semitic song about the striker that could be heard from the away end and will hope that prevents a Football Association investigation. The chant cast a shadow over another impressive performance from Morata, who now has three headed goals since that move from Real Madrid.
While all the pre-match focus was on the return of Danny Drinkwater, it was another former Leicester midfielder, N’golo Kante, who provided the crucial contribution with the second goal, catching out Kasper Schmeichel from 30 yards. Leicester did respond, with Jamie Vardy’s penalty, but Craig Shakespeare’s side could not level.
It has been a tough start for Shakespeare and Saturday suggested Riyad Mahrez still has some bridge-building to do with supporters after his deadline-day antics. Mahrez was disappointing, often choosing the wrong pass, but captain Wes Morgan is backing the winger to recover.
“He’s had a good start to the season and against the bigger teams he might find it a bit more difficult,” he said. “But he’s always been spot on with his attitude so far and he knows that we need him.”